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The   Visit   of  Lafayette 


THE  VISIT  OF 
LAFAYETTE 

The    Old   Housekeeper's    Sto?y 


BY 

LUCIA    GRAY    SWETT 

Author  of  "  Sisters  of  Keparutrice  " 


BOSTON 

LEE    AND    SHl'l'ARD 

1903 


Copyright,  1903, 
By   Lucia    Gray    Swett, 


All  rights  reserved. 


THE     VISIT     OF      LAFAYETTE. 

Published,  October,  IQ03. 


llncklBtll  anb  Cfeurcbill  ^nss 

BOSTON 


The  portrait  of  General  Lafayette,  from  zvhich  this  picture 

was  photographed,  is  in   the   Lee    Memorial    Chapel   of  the 

Washington    and    Lee     University    in    Lexington,    Virginia, 

and  by  the  kind  permission   of  Dr.  Denny,  President  of  the 

University,   we  are  permitted  to  use  it  for  our  frontispiece. 

This  and  a  very  fine  portrait  of  General  Washington  were 

presented  to  the    University  i>)'   General  George   Washington 

Custis   Lee,    the  eldest  son  of  General  Robert   E.    Lee,   and 

they  were  inherited  by  him  from   his  grandfather,   who  was 

the  grandson    of  Martha    Washington.       This   picture   was 

painted  for   General  Washington    and  probably  presented   to 

him  by  General  Lafayette.      The  artist  was  Charles  Wilson 

Peak,   the  father  of  Rembrandt   Peale,   and  usually  known 

as  the   Elder   Peale. 


HIS  picture  of  Geqeral  Lafayette  \^as  copied  froDq 
oqe  of  a  pair  of  rqedallioqs,  etcl:]ir\gs  or)  tt\e 
—  bacK  of  a  pair  of  loqg  -wi^ite  Kid  gloves. 
Tt\e  gloves  were  woq  frorri  Geqeral  Lafayette  by  Miss 
Eliza  Roarie  ov\  a  t]orserace  at  Fairfield,  r|ear  Ricl^iriorid, 
Yirgiqia,  iq  1824.  Miss  Roar^e  -was  afterward  Mrs.  filbert 
G.  Ruffir),  arid  l^er  secoqd  tiusbaqd  was  Goverqor  McDonald, 
of  Georgia. 

Miss  Eliza  McDonald  Ruffin,  of  fllben\arie  Courity,  Yir- 
giqia,  is  rioW  tl^e  possessor  of  tl|ese  gloves,  ar[d  it  is  to 
\\eT  kindriess  tl|at  I  owe  \\\e  above  picture.  Miss  Ruffiq 
is  a  great-great-grariddaugl:\ter  of  Tbiorqas  cJeffersor\,  ar\d 
it  Was  at  l]is  tiorqe,  Moqticello,  iq  fllbecqarle  Couqty,  tlriat 
Lafayette  paid  t\is  faii\ous  visit  to  <Jeffersor\. 


The   Visit   of  Lafayette 

'\  li  TELL  have  I  known  the  old  house  in 
New  Hampshire  where  the  house- 
keeper's story  was  told ;  where  President 
Monroe  visited  in  July,  1817,  and  General 
Lafayette  in  June,  1825.  A  great,  square, 
colonial  house,  standing  high  on  terraces, 
roses  and  honeysuckle  climbing  up  the  pillars 
of  its  porch.  An  ideal  New  England  borne, 
with  its  large,  sunny  rooms  and  long  hall 
opening  upon  the  garden. 


Here  the  housekeeper,  who  lived  to  be 
ninety-five  years  old,  had  spent  the  greater 
part  of  her  life,  and  for  three  generations  the 
children  of  the  family  had  loved  to  listen  to 
her  stories.  They  were  usually  told  winter 
evenings,  in  the  larger  and  pleasanter  of  the 
great  kitchens  where  she  ruled  supreme, — 
and  a  good  rule  the  children  thought  it,  for 
no  one  could  make  such  sweets  and  pasties, 
and  no  child  who  had  been  familiar  with  the 
quaint  old  cupboard  under  the  stairs  could 
ever  forget  its  mingled  fragrance  of  pound- 
cake, gingerbread,  and  crullers. 

The  favorite  story  was  always  "  The  Visit 
of  Lafayette,"    and  the  childcn   loved  to  hear 

8 


about  tlie  great  supper,  and  of  the  huge 
pkuu-cake,  which  was  so  hirge  that  it  had 
taken  two  whole  days  to  bake,  and  how  when 
Phito  Wahh-on,  the  old  colored  servant,  or 
Plate,  as  he  was  called,  had  proudly  carried 
it  in,  Lafayette  turned  to  his  hostess  and  said, 
"  Madame,  I  presume  that  cake  was  made  in 
my  honor  ;  therefore  I  will  take  a  piece." 
And  then  would  come  accounts  of  the  pro- 
cession, and  of  the  "  thirty  young  gentlemen 
from  fifteen  to  twenty  years  of  age,  in  uni- 
form dres.s,  and  mounted,  who  added  much 
to  the  interest  of  the  scene."  And  the 
stories  she  had  heard  about  the  great  banquet 
in  the  town  hall,  and  of  the  toasts,  of  which 


there  were  sixteen,  for  after  the  thirteen 
customary  toasts  in  honor  of  the  thirteen 
orig^inal  States,  three  additional  ones  were 
given  :  the  first  by  George  Washington 
Lafayette,  the  second  by  the  Secretary  of 
General  Lafayette,  Monsieur  Levasseur,  and 
the  third  by  S.  Mitchell,  Esq.,  which  the 
children  thought  the  best  of  all  : 

''  The  Major-Generals  of  our  Revolutionary 
Army,  the  chief  cohimns  that  sustained  Lib- 
erty's Temple  throughout  the  war  of  Inde- 
pendence ;  Rest  to  the  fallen  ;  Health  to 
Lafayette,  the  last  chief  column  standing." 


lO 


The   Visit   of  Lafayette 

\  li  THEN  the  old  housekeeper  was  sitting, 

Winter  evenings  by  the  fire, 
Rocking  and  nodding  o'er  her  knitting, 
Whilst  the  great  oak  logs  blazed  higher, 

As  though  tr3hig  to  drive  from  its  place 
The  gleam  of  the  candle-light  mild, 
Which  sofLl}-  fell  on  the  thoughtful  face 
Of  a  beautiful  dark-eyed  child  ; 


II 


And  when  the  tall  clock,  ticking,  ticking, 
Would  seem  trying  to  do  its  best 
To  keep  time  with  the  needles'  clicking. 
There  came  ever  the  same  request : 

"  Tell  me  the  story,  oh,  dear  Dame  Dean  ! 
That  I  love  and  will  ne'er  forget, 
About  the  wonderful  things  you've  seen, 
And  the  visit  of  Lafayette." 

Then  the  child  drew  her  chair  still  nearer, 
^yhile  the  Dame  gazed  long  in  the  blaze, 
As  if  to  find  there  for  her  hearer 
All  the  splendors  of  other  days. 

12 


••  Little  Mary,  the  great  doings  then  ! 
The  like  we  shall  never  more  see, 
For  those  good  times  cannot  come  again, 
But  their  mem'ry's  ever  with  me. 

By  bells  and  by  cannon  that  morning 
We  were  wakened  long  before  light, 
And  eau'erlv  watched  for  the  dawning 
Which   brought    the    day    clear,    warm,  and 
bright. 

At  six  o'clock  they  began  to  come. 
People  gath'ring  from  far  and  near. 
Till  we  scarcely  knew  our  quiet  home  ; 
I've  heard  full  ten  thousand  were  here. 


13 


There  were  some  who'd  walked  twelve  miles 

or  more, 
But  they  heeded  not  tired  feet, 
For  they  gladly  would  have  walked  a  score, 
Their  hero  to  see  and  to  greet. 

From  rich  and  poor  alike  came  flowers, 
And  each  one  lent  a  helping  hand, 
Till  the  whole  house  was  filled  with  bowers  — 
One  wandered  through  a  fairyland. 

Lafayette's  room  was  ready  for  days, 
The  great  room  with  canopied  bed,  — 
Where  evenings  your  Aunt  often  stays, 
And  her  portrait  hangs  overhead. 


H 


His  son's  room  the  west  chamber  we  call, 
Tt  looked  on  the  garden  and  pond. 
With  landscapes  painted  over  the  wall ; 
Then  rooms  for  their  suite  were  beyond. 

At  ten  o'clock  came  sounds  of  cheering, 
With  music,  and  drum's  martial  beat ; 
I  knew  the  procession  was  nearing, 
And  hastened  out  into  the  street. 

There    were    carts    with    flags    and    flowers 

wound, 
Drawn  by  oxen  with  ribbons  bright, 
That  came  for  miles  from  the  country  round 
Bringing  pretty  girls  dressed  in  white. 


15 


The  bells  in  the  steeples  were  ringing, 
And  everywhere  one  was  met 
By  bands  of  children  gayly  singing, 
'  Welcome  !  Welcome  to  Lafayette  !  ' 

The  windows  and  porches  were  crowded. 
The  joy  of  the  da}^  never  waned. 
Its  happiness  was  not  once  clouded ; 
Devotion  and  gratitude  reigned. 

Our  flag  and  the  French  flag  were  entwined 
All  across  the  triumphal  arch. 
And  banners,  mottoes,  and  emblems  lined 
The  way  along  which  they  would  march. 

16 


Then  soon  I  saw  the  epaulets  shine 

On  the  handsome  uniforms  new, 

Of  the  artilleiy  down  the  line, 

And  the  Strafford  Guards  were  in  view. 

A  finer  company  I've  ne'er  known, 
And  the  Marslial  riding-  ahead. 
Then  all  gallantly  marching  as  one, 
Came  the  Rockingham  Guards  well  led. 

The  bands  played  '  Welcome  to  Lafayette,' 
It  was  a  stirring  martial  air. 
To  a  good  old  tune  it  had  been  set. 
And  one  heard  it  everywhere. 


17 


I'd  hoped  lie'd  wear  his  uniform  best, 
Like  a  Marquis  and  General  grand  ; 
But  instead  he  was  quite  plainly  dressed, 
And  carried  his  hat  in  his  hand. 

Waving  it  right  and  left  while  they  cheered. 
I,  too,  cheered  as  well  as  I  could, 
And  saw  as  soon  as  his  carriage  neared, 
That  he  looked  most  kindly  and  good. 

I  saw  him  well  in  spite  of  the  throng ;   , 
In  an  open  barouche  he  rode. 
And  as  he  bowed  at  the  cheering  long, 
It  seemed  littk;  his  years  he  showed. 

18 


Yet  it  made  me  marvel  when  I  thous-ht 

Of  the  stories  I'd  heard  and  read, 

That    told   how  he'd  suffered,  marched,  and 

fought, 
And  of  the  Olmiitz  prison  dread. 

How  often  still  in  my  dreams  at  night 
The  song  of  the  children  I  liear, 
With  sound  of  the  buo-les  clear  and  liu^ht. 
And  the  voices  of  people  near  ! 

'  It's  a  proud  time  for  our  Granite  State,' 
1  could  hear  an  old  neighbor  say, 
'  And  I  shall  not  know  at  anv  rate 
AnuLher  such  glorious  day. 


'  His  Secretary,  Levasseur,  's  there  — 
I  mean  that  man  comely  and  slight ; 
He'll  win  the  hearts  of  the  ladies  fair ; 
And  who's  that  on  the  General's  ris-ht  ? ' 

'  George  Washington  Lafayette,  his  son, 
God  bless  him  !   for  he's  been  well  named,' 
And  I  w^as  turning  to  see  w^hich  one. 
When  a  woman  next  me  exclaimed, 

'There's   my  man   John,  the    first   of  those 

four. 
And  doesn't  he  look  In^ave  and  fine ! 
Marching  just  as  when  the  Hag  he  bore 
At  the  battle  of  Brandywine  ! 

20 


'  He  has  good  courage  !     Yes,  there  they  go/ 

And  I  saw  a  battle  flag;  borne 

By  a  little  old  man,  white  as  snow, 

His  army  coat  faded  and  worn. 

Then  came  splendidly  mounted  young  men, 
Many  citizens  carriages  brought, 
And  soldiers,  proud  to  see  him  again  — 
Their  General  with  whom  they  once  fought ! 

But,  ah  !     I  knew  it  was  growing  late, 
That  to  hasten  huuje  would  be  I'ight, 
And  I'd  the  promise  of  helping  wait 

At  the  supper  party  that  night. 


21 


To  leave  was  harder  than  words  can  tell, 
I  was  young  then  and  lively,  too, 
My  pink  frock  I  knew  became  me  well, 
And  the  sights  were  not  yet  half  through. 

Lafayette  was  expected  at  three, 
And  all  was  in  readiness  then ; 
At  six  o'clock  was  served  a  grand  tea, 
But  supper  was  not  until  ten. 

A  stately  picture  our  Madam  made  ; 

We  thought  none  with  her  covdd  compare 

In  her  lilac  and  silver  l)r()cade, 

And  lace  cap  on  her  dark  l)r()wii  hair. 

22 


Then  there  were  the  beauties,  the  cousins, 
Miss  Mollie  could  sing  like  a  bird, 
Miss  Polly  had  suitors  by  dozens, 
The  toast  of  the  County,  I've  heard. 


Miss  Rachel,  whether  sad  or  merry, 

A  sweeter  voice  I  never  hear. 

And  Miss  Jeannette  with  lauc^h  so  cheerv  — 

CD  \j 

They're  silent  now  this  many  a  year. 

And  then  Miss  Hetty,  with  winning  charm. 
Came  fresh  as  a  morning''  in  May, 
A  basket  of  flowers  on  her  arm. 
And  looking  so  joyous  and  gay. 


23 


In  her  gown  of  white,  and  strings  of  peai'ls 
That  fastened  her  girdle  of  bhie, 
And  held  the  coiul)  in  her  shining  curls, 
She  was  truly  pretty  to  view. 

Then  quite  demurely  she  showed  us  how 
She  had  learned  a  bit  of  a  speech. 
To  make  with  a  courtesy  deep  and  low. 
And  a  nosegay  ready  for  each. 

'Tis  a  custom  still  you  know  ne'er  fails, 
And  not  only  on  days  of  state. 
But  there  nev^er  was  guest  of  Squire  Hale's 
That  had  ever  l)een  known  to  wait; 


24 


The  whole  of  the  household,  high  and  low. 
Would  be  gathered  about  the  door, 
And  they  made  a  pleasant,  goodly  show ; 
Alas,  then  there  were  many  more  ! 


There    were    bright  eyes    that    sparkled    and 

danced, 
Soft  cheeks  that,  like  roses,  were  red  ; 
And  'twas  not  at  the  flowers  he  glanced, 
When  the  Geucral  smilingly  said  : 

'  I  have  entered  a  land  of  roses  ! ' 

But  your  little  Aunt  did  not  speak. 

And  blushed  and  looked  (Icjwn  at  her  posies, 

Not  as  britrht  as  those  in  her  cheek. 


25 


As  soon  as  the  twilight  was  ended, 
With  lights  the  whole  town  was  ablaze, 
Countless  torches  and  fireworks  splendid, 
While  the  bands  played  •  The  Marseillaise.' 


And  the  crowd  grew  ever  greater  yet. 
Till  their  cheering  the  echoes  woke, 
For  a  speech  or  word  from  Lafayette, 
But  he  turned  to  his  host  and  spoke : 

'  Will  you    thank   them    for   their  welcome, 

Sir?' 
Then  he  said  with  his  pleasant  smile, 
'Truly,  kinder  hearts  there  never  were  ! 
Yet  I  needs  must  rest  for  a  while.' 

26 


And  with  speeches  and  crowds  for  weeks  past. 
Journeys  to  tire  the  strongest  men, 
Is  it  strange  he  was  weary  at  last? 
He  was  near  three-score  years  and  ten. 

But  at  supper  once  more  he  seemed  young, 
And  e'en  now  I  love  to  recall 
How  then,  as  he  moved  the  guests  among. 
He'd  a  kind,  thoughtful  word  for  all. 

In  truth,  I've  heard  he  was  always  so, 
And  liad  nice  pleasing  things  to  say. 
That  helped  to  gladden  the  world,  although, 
Perhaps,  'twas  his  pretty  French  way. 


27 


Miss  Rachel  was  the  evening's  queen, 
The  wonder  of  all  the  grand  folk, 
With  her  Lafayette  was  often  seen. 
And  in  French  together  they  spoke. 

She'd  a  voice  like  the  sweetest  singer, 
And  though  I  could  not  understand. 
Yet  I  could  not  forbear  to  linger, 
For  it  seemed  like  some  foreign  land. 

Two  hundred  guests  were  asked  to  the  feast, 
Which  indeed  was  a  banquet  fine, 
And  although  my  part  had  been  the  least, 
I  thought  all  the  glory  was  mine. 

28 


•« 


Many  had  over  ten  miles  to  ride, 
lint  canie  in  good  cheer  none  the  less, 
Whilst  the  ladies  with  each  other  vied 
In  the  elegance  of  their  dress. 

There  were  high,  carved   combs  on   ringlets 

set. 
Rare  old  laces  and  satin  gowns, 
For  the  beanty  and  fashion  were  met 
From  our  own  and  adjacent  towns. 

And  they  shone  m  the  soft,  glowing  light, 
For  a  myriad  candles  Ijurned  ; 
A  great  company  gathered  that  night, 
But  all  eyes  to  Lafayette  tui'ncd. 


29 


Amonu;  those  who'd  come  to  the  meetmo; 
Were  old  soldiers  loyal  and  brave, 
And  there  ne'er  was  more  heartfelt  greeting 
Than  their  General  to  each  one  gave. 


One  could  see  stern  faces  grow  brighter. 
Once  more  in  his  presence  rejoice, 
As  thoug-h  ag;e  and  care  became  lighter 
At  the  sound  of  their  hero's  voice. 


The  next  day  when  about  to  depart, 
And  when  for  farewell  all  were  met, 
Lafayette's  kind  way  won  ev'ry  heart. 
His  words  one  could  never  forget ; 


30 


Then  over  our  Macluiu's  hand,  quite  low 
He  witli  courtly  grace  bowed  liis  head, 
And  they  were  just  preparing  to  go, 
Wlien  '  But  where\s  Levasseur  ?  '  he  said. 


It  was  not  for  nie  to  be  talking, 
And  no  more  did  I  care  to  say  ; 
With  Miss  Hetty  I'd  seen  liiin  walking, 
Turning  down  the  long  garden  way  ; 

I 

I  saw  them  pause  where  the  pansies  grew, 
I  could  see  the  red  rose  she  wore, 
As  he  stooped  down  to  gather  a  few. 
And  then  they  strolled  on  as  before. 


31 


Yet  at  the  last  I  was  sent  to  look, 

When  t]ie\'d  called  and  he  was  not  found  ; 

They  may  have  thought    that   some  time  it 

took, 
For  I  chose  the  longest  way  round. 

Down  through  the  lilies  and  purple  phlox, 
Where  to-day  the  apple  boughs  bend, 
And  through  the  alley  of  hollyhocks, 
To  the  myrtle  walk  at  the  end. 

But  T  forget,  you  never  have  seen 
The  garden  that  I  alwa3^s  knew, 
Fit  for  the  garden  of  any  queen, 
Till  the  new  street  cut  its  way  through. 


32 


With  arbors,  and  pond,  and  chestnut  trees, 
Tlic  honeysuckles  loved  so  well 
By  the  humming-birds  and  honey-bees, 
And  the  hedgi-e  where  the  robins  dwell. 

o 


No  llowers  can  cMjual,  to  my  mind. 
Those  old-fashioned  fav'rites  now  rare. 
And  een  late  in  the  lull  one  could  find 
Some  blossoms  still  lingering  there. 


They  were  resting  on  the  pleasant  seat 
'Neath  the  great  spreading  linden  ti-ee, 
Where  good  James  Dean  and  I  used  to  meet. 
Just  where  I  had  thought  they  would  be. 


?,^ 


But  soon  as  I  heard  their  laughter  gay 
And  saw  them  so  truly  content, 
I  quite  forgot  what  I  came  to  say 
And  wished  I  had  never  been  sent. 

Miss  Hetty  ne'er  looked  fairer  to  me, 
In  her  frock  with  white  satin  bows, 
Yet  one  thing  I  could  not  help  but  see, 
'Twas  he  who  was  wearing  the  rose. 

And   now,  good-night ;    there's    no    more   to 

hear," 
The  Dame  laid  her  work  in  her  lap, 
Then  said  :  "  Go  ask  your  Aunt  Hetty,  dear," 
As  she  closed  her  eyes  for  a  nap. 


34 


"Go  ask  your  Aunty,"  again  she  said, 
But  the  housekeeper  was  alone, 
Her  listener  had  already  fled 
And  up  the  winding  stairway  gone, 

Through  the  long  corridor  was  flitting 
Like  a  small  phantom  in  the  gloom, 
To  where  she  knew  her  Aunt  was  sitting 
In  the  great,  silent,  lonely  room. 

To  her  it  was  not  silent  or  sad, 
For  voices  the  child  did  not  know 
Came  each  with  its  echo,  faint  yet  glad, 
Sent  back  from  the  years  long  ago. 


35 


In  the  shadows  were  happy  faces, 

In  the  fire-light  memories  dear, 

And  bright  forms  came  to  find  loved  places  — 

She  was  never  alone  when  here. 

"Aunty,   do   you   think    Dame    Dean   quite 

knows  ? 
Were  you  ever  so  gay  and  fair  ? 
Did  the  Frenchman  really  wear  the  rose  ? 
Had  you  pearls  in  yoin^  gown  and  hair  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear,  the  story  must  be  the  truth," 
And  then  she  glanced  up  at  the  face 
In  the  portrait  of  her  radiant  youth, 
With  its  charm  of  beauty  and  grace, 

36 


Whose  glp.d  eyes  met  the  eyes  that  had  wept ; 
But  the  child  did  not  heed  the  ghiiice. 
"  Do  you  think  the  rose  he  always  kept 
And  carried  it  with  him  to  France  ? 

In  some  French  book  has  it  long  been  pressed, 
Some  quaint  book  with  curious  name, 
And  nobody  there  has  ever  guessed 
Its  story,  or  knows  why  it  came  ? 

Or  dreams  that  in  such  a  far-off  land, 
It  once  bloomed  with  the  roses  red  ?" 
And  the  child  stooped  down  and  kissed  her 

hand. 
But  the  little  Aunt  nothing  said, 


37 


For  her  thoughts  had  wandered  far  away, 
And  she  smiled,  but  was  silent  yet ; 
They  had  gone  to  find  that  happy  day 
With  the  visit  of  Lafayette. 


38 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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y/yyi'j:i'yy/x^///y/y/yyy/y/y/x/^y/y^^^ 


